Singapore reaffirms strong ties with Brazil

SINGAPORE - Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam has met with Senator Ricardo de Rezende Ferraco, Brazil's chairman of the Senate Committee of External Relations and National Defence.

During lunch held on Monday, Senator Ferraco and Minister Shanmugam exchanged views on developments in Latin America and Asia. Earlier today, Senator Ferraco also called on Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew.

The two countries recently signed the Singapore-Brazil Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Profits Derived from International Air and Shipping Transport.

During his visit, Senator Ferraco will also call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and be hosted to lunch by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Hawazi Daipi.

In addition, Senator Ferraco will receive briefings by Changi Airport International, PSA International, the Economic Development Board (EDB), Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Housing & Development Board (HDB) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

Senator Ferraco is in Singapore from January 6 to 10, under the S R Nathan Fellowship at the invitation of Minister Shanmugam.

The S R Nathan Fellowship is a high level programme through which foreign leaders, prominent personalities and opinion-shapers are invited to Singapore to exchange ideas and experiences on current and long term challenges with Singapore leaders and senior government officials.

 ljessica@sph.com.sg